Filthy Friends, Invitation“Sleater-Kinney’s Corin Tucker joins R.E.M.’s Peter Buck in a band unafraid to evoke their signature sounds,” writes Will Hermes in his review of the debut from this supergroup, which also includes journeyman drummer Bill Rieflin, as well as Pacific Northwest underground heroes Kurt Bloch and Scott McCaughey.Hear: Amazon Music Unlimited | Apple Music | Bandcamp | Spotify | Tidal

Various Artists, Soul of a Nation: Afro-Centric Visions in the Age of Black Power – Underground Jazz, Street Funk & the Roots of Rap 1968-79Made alongside a “black power” exhibit in London’s Tate Modern, this compilation gathers 13 tracks showcasing the crossing lines of jazz, funk, Afrocentrism and various temperatures of political consciousness. The “roots of rap” title is a bit of a misnomer – though there’s no shortage of drum breaks and it leads off with Gil-Scott Heron’s proto-rap classic “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.” If anything, songs by Roy Ayers (“Red, Black and Green”), Phil Ranelin (“Vibes From the Tribe”) and Oneness of Juju (“African Rhythms”) provide the precursor to the Native Tongues era of De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest and the Jungle Brothers: funky grooves, a psychedelic feel and an Afrocentric outlook that’s both politically charged and fun. The highlight is the plea for love “Is It Too Late” by Sun Ra percussionist Duke Edwards – here truncated to 10 minutes – which sounds like it’s connecting What’s Going On to The Velvet Underground & Nico. Christopher R. WeingartenHear: Amazon Music Unlimited | Apple Music | Spotify | Tidal